In our review of the most unusual châteaux in France, we’ve set our sights on another renowned edifice. For a bucolic and historic stroll, Château du Rivau ticks all the boxes for a place to visit. If Chenonceau is on the water and Brézé troglodyte, the particularity of Le Rivau undoubtedly lies in its beautiful, verdant and diverse gardens, of which there are 15! Let us introduce you to this extraordinary estate.
Château du Rivau and its 15 themed gardens: the perfect historical and bucolic stroll
As the warm weather approaches, we’re already thinking about getaways for the sunny weekends ahead. After the hikes, the watering holes and the bucolic villages, you can also take a trip not far from Paris, to discover the châteaux of the Loire Valley, for example. And that’s precisely where we came across Château du Rivau, a real nugget with magnificent gardens.
To find the first historical trace of Château du Rivau, we have to go back to the 13th century, when the complex was a fortified house. It wasn’t until the Renaissance that the château was “humanized”, with the addition of Gothic windows, frescoes and fireplaces. Rivau is both a pleasant place to live and a stronghold, with links to Joan of Arc and Rabelais.
During your visit, you’ll notice both its medieval features (drawbridge, moat, parapet walk) and those reminiscent of the Renaissance. The vast rooms feature monumental Gothic fireplaces, monumental walls and sumptuous tapestries. The Salle du Festin is particularly noteworthy for its frescoes depicting the seasons of the vine.
But the jewel in the crown of the estate, and the main reason why hundreds of visitors flock here every play, are surely the 15 gardens with different themes. Alice’s Labyrinth, Rapunzel’s Garden, Enchanted Forest: the gardens, which contain hundreds of varieties of flowers and sometimes sculptures, depict numerous tableaux. What’s more, every month we’re treated to the blossoming of a different botanical collection.
How do I get to Château du Rivau?
With its history, architecture and greenery, Château du Rivau is the perfect getaway in the Loire Valley. And to get there from Paris, hop on the train from Gare Montparnasse to Tours and then Chinon, for a journey of just under 2 hours.
Château du Rivau – 9, rue du château, 37120, Léméré